Implications of Ethnography Research Method in Educational and Health Studies

Background: Studies in educational and health research are sometimes accompanied by the adoption of a qualitative research approach. Qualitative research claims to achieve natural and first-hand data in a variety of ways. In this regard, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of ethnography method in educational and health research. Methods: An analytical-deductive method and analysis of the research experiences of the authors of this paper, whose field was often qualitative, were used. Accordingly, the reliable sources as well as the background studies of the researchers were analyzed. Results: The findings showed that ethnography in education can provide insights into in-depth analysis of the beliefs, values, and experiences about school or university trends. Also, ethnography in health research can lead to the results such as improving health care, modifying high-risk behaviors, timely prevention, managing stress in the face of illness, emphasizing sensitivity of local communities, health knowledge generation and, in general, influencing the health policies in society. Conclusion: Given the importance of ethnography in obtaining first-hand and in-depth results, it is recommended to provide appropriate awareness and application of the method among the research policies by the ministry of science and health.